Lady Eagles Honored by Coaches

Parish District MVP

by Mike Organ

Jessica Parish was named the Most Valuable Player in District 25-AA by voting district coaches. A senior, Parish batted .417 in district play with three home runs and an astonishing .524 with runners in scoring position (second or third base). Parish received 13 walks in district as opposing coaches all but refused to pitch to her with the game on the line. Jessica still hit three home runs and batted in 17 runs in district play to lead the team in RBI’s and the district in homers.

Courtney Robertson was name co-Newcomer of the Year along with Paige Williams of Rogers. Robertson pitched 31 games for the Lady Eagles in her first year in high school. A record of 16-13 is an excellent beginning in high school ball. For the season Courtney threw 2582 pitches, 1586 of them for strikes. In addition to pitching, Robertson had a good season with the bat in her hands. In district play she batted .410 with 16 hits, six of which were doubles, and batted in 14 runs. Lexington was 10-2 in district play.

Mackenzie Brown (a.k.a. PeeWee) broke the Rice no-hitter with a double down the rightfield line early during the playoffs. PHOTO BY MIKE ORGAN.
Seniors Shelby Tackett and Ashton Johnston were first team selections by district coaches. Tackett played third base for the Lady Eagles most of the season. As the season progressed, her playing at third improved. The defensive game Shelby played against Rice Consolidated in the first playoff game was the best witnessed in many games. Tackett batted .326 in district play which included a double and triple. Tackett had a home run in the Caldwell Tourney early in the season. Johnston batted first or second in the batting order for most of the season. She worked hard to become an accomplished slapper (putting the bat on the ball and using her speed to beat the ball to first base. Ashton had 18 hits and all were singles. Most were infield singles. She did all this while playing a solid centerfield and running track in her spare time. Ashton is also the LHS valedictorian for 2010.

Making the second team was Junior Haley Jatzlau. Haley was the Lady Eagle second baseman for most of the season. Haley made tremendous strides offensively over last season following back surgery. Haley batted .308 in district play with four doubles and a triple. Jatzlau played a solid second base after the line up became set during preseason action.

Catcher Megan Scantlin received honorable mention. Scantlin led the Lady Eagles in average in district with a .478 mark. She is also a slapper with a little power. Her batting average with runners in scoring position was an astronomical .727 This was her first season at catcher after playing the field last year.